Ahura Mazda : The Supreme God

Ahura Mazda

Introduction

Ahura Mazda is the supreme lord in ancient pre Islamic Iranian or Persian mythology. The word Ahura, which literally means wise lord, refers to Ormizd, the supreme god of Zoroastrianism and the religious system of Iranian prophet Zarathustra. In ancient Iran, Ahura was regarded as the king’s protector and greatest of all gods and was worshipped by Darius I who reigned from 522 to 486 BCE.

According to Zarathustra, Ahura created the universe and its cosmic order. He created the two spirits known as Spenta Mainyu and Angra Mainyu, which were both good and evil respectively. The struggle between good and evil is reflected in the choices that humanity makes. In Zoroastrianism, Ahura Mazda is all-wise, bounteous, undeceiving, and the creator of everything good, while Angra Mainyu is the opposite. Both of these spirits are regarded as beings that are mutually limiting with the world between them as their battleground.

Physical Traits

In many of the available images of the god, the bearded Ahura Mazda emerges from a winged ring or disk accompanied by a bird’s tail and a pair of paws. Although there are various interpretations of these images, most scholars believe that the disk represents Ahura Mazda himself. Some other images that depict “Ohrmazd” show a male figure wearing a crown. As aniconic as these images are, rejection of other anthropomorphic entities such as Ahura Mazda became common in Zoroastrianism.

Family

Ahura Mazda is said to have existed before anything and everything that was created came from him include the universe and all living forms on it, however he did not have a family as such.

Other Names

Ahura Mazda is also known as Ahuramazda, Harzoo, Hormazd, Hourmazd, Hurmuz, Ohrmazd, ‘Lord’ or ‘Spirit’. The Avestan form of the Mazda, which is considered the proper name for the god, is derived from the word maazdah which is feminine in nature. Some linguists believe that it may also come from the Sanskrit word medhās, meaning ‘intelligence’ or ‘wisdom’. During the Achamenid era, the name was also known as Ahuramazda, while during the Parthian and the Sassanian, the forms of Hormazd and Ohrmazd were used.

Powers and Abilities

Like all supreme deities, Ahura Mazda has a long list of characteristics and titles. Aside from being the supreme being in Garothman, which is the uncreated spirit, he is also known to be the only one who can move all while not being moved by anyone. He has no equal on earth or in the heavens and is also a good and righteous man who upholds the proper behaviour and conduct. Most importantly, beyond, apart and without him, there is nothing in existence.

Modern Day Influence

Ahura Mazda has evolved over the years under various dynasties and the meaning and religious iconography has also undergone monumental changes. The religious group know as Zoroastrians moved from Muslim Shia dominated Iran to India many years ago when they were threatened with complete decimation of their religious structures and the extinguishing of their sacred fire. They have now assimilated into the Indian society and continue to keep their traditions and rituals alive.